The Rebels have suffered another humiliating defeat in NZ, this time to the Hurricanes.
Despite a slow start, the Hurricanes put on a second-half masterclass and totally outplayed their opponents. The Rebels, simply put just did not have any answers, and they paid the price on the scoreboard.
First Half
The Rebels opened the match looking like the stronger team. They had a fair share of field position and looked dangerous in open play. Mafi made some good runs into the Hurricanes 22, but a lack of support runners cost and change of a try.
Hodge kicked two penalties, one of them a monster from the 50m line, to put the Rebels in front early.
Sadly, the lead didn’t last long. Minler-Skudder scored his first try in the 17th minute. Barrett’s wide run sucked in three defenders, giving Milner-Skudder the space to run under the sticks. Barrett converted, and the scores were 7-6 Hurricanes.
Nehe Milner-Skudder, on his way to scoring three tries.
The next four tries, all scored by the Hurricanes, all followed the classic NZ playbook. Clever kicking, strong runners, and poor defensive reads. Barrett and Perenara’s kicking set up tries for Aso (twice), Milker-Skudder, and Proctor.
The Rebels did come close in the 31st minute. Some great defences from the Hurricanes prevented a try, but the Rebels didn’t help themselves with some poor options and support.
Scores at half time: 31 – 6 Hurricanes.
Second Half.
The game resumed in much the same manner; Hurricanes dominance, Rebels without a plan B. A big scoring match beckoned for the home team.
Any hope of a Rebels comeback was snuffed out in the 42nd minute, with a classic Savea brothers try. A terrible box kick from Stirzaker to Savea unleashed the Bus right through the middle. Untouched for most of his run, he was finally stopped five metres short of the line. Luckily, Ardie was waiting for the pass, and he darted over to score the try. Barrett converted, moving the score to 38 – 6 Hurricanes.
For the next 20minutes, the Hurricanes made a number of raids into Rebels territory and looked threatening every time. It was not so much the Rebels defence that prevented the try; the Hurricanes just couldn’t finish off their good work. It’s amazing to watch the Hurricanes skill; all fifteen on the field handle the ball like a five-eight and run at the opposition like a number eight.
A number of Rebel substitutions marked the opening of the scoreboard floodgates. In the last twenty minutes, the Hurricanes scored five tries to none. Prinsep, Julian Savea, Laumape (twice), Milner-Skudder (twice, for his hat-trick) and Mafi all scored brilliant team tries. All tries involved direct forward running, quick hands and lightning speed. For the Rebels, they could only watch this nightmare unfold in front of their eyes.
Julian ‘the Bus’ Savea – just unstoppable in the second half.
At full time, the scores were 71 – 6 to the Hurricanes. The Rebels worst defeat to the Wellington team, but not the worst in New Zealand.
[one_third last=”no”]
The Game Changer
The first try after the break. Julian had been a little quiet in the first half, and I think someone told him to get moving. It also crushed any hope of a Rebel revival, if the first half didn’t already.[/one_third]
[one_third last=”no”]
The G&GR MOTM
As I can’t split TJ Perenara or Beauden Barrett, they don’t get it. However, on his return from injury, Nehe Milner-Skudder deserves the gong. His three tries and general play showed he hadn’t lost any of his skill.
[/one_third]
[one_third last=”yes”]
Wallaby Watch
Cheika probably switched off at half-time as there wasn’t much to see. Hodge tried hard in a losing team, Koroibete looked OK when he got the ball, and Timani limed limped off with a knee injury.[/one_third]
The Details
Score & Scorers
[one_half last=”no”]Hurricanes 71
Tries: Milner-Skudder (3), Aso (2), Laumape (2), Proctor, A. Savea, Prinsep, J. Savea
Cons: Barrett 6, Black 2
[/one_half]
[one_half last=”yes”]Rebels 6
Penalties: Hodge (2)
[/one_half]
Cards
None
Crowd
15,000+
